John "Jack" Hillman

known as Jack, was born circa 1875, according to his marriage certificate. Unfortunately, his birth certificate is unable to be traced. On 21st November 1894 in St. John’s Church, Copthorne, Sussex by banns John Hillman married Sarah Cooper. Winfield Cooper held the ceremony and it was witnessed by John and Emma Carey. The marriage certificate states that John’s father was called John Hillman, a labourer, and Sarah’s father was called John Cooper, also a labourer. John, aka Jack, was a Hawker of rugs and mats (according to one certificate he is a licensed hawker of Tonbridge).

Sarah was born on 12th June 1876 but it is unknown where. This information was provided from records at the Cane Hill Hospital, Coulsdon, Surrey. Sarah was known as Sally.

No census or certificates can be found for either, except their marriage and death certificates. Therefore, none of their family history can be traced. One possible explanation for this is that they were said to be Gypsies, who are notoriously difficult to trace.

However, through talking to other family members, it is clear that John Hillman had 2 brothers: Frank and George. Little is known about them, as their births are unable to be traced either. Frank, we know, lived on the same site as John and Sarah at Field Common, Walton-on-Thames, with his wife, Jane, and their children. George married Annie Farrell on 6th July 1908 in Orpington Parish Church and he was aged 28. This means he was born in 1880, but again no birth record can be identified. They also had several children and it appears they lived in the Bromley area. Annie died in 1950, aged 70, and George died in 1956, aged 76. Both are buried in St. Giles’s Churchyard.

John Hillman, aka Jack, died on 24th January 1937, aged 62, at The Cottage Hospital in Walton, Surrey. He died of broncho-pneumonia and influenza, certified by W. G. Bigger MB. The certificate states John lived at Caravan, Field Common in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey and was a Hawker. Celia Brazil, his daughter, was the informant and lived at Elm Tree Caravan, Field Common in Walton-on-Thames.